I teach humanities courses and unfortunately in the career college realm, are usually the dark horses. Most students are here to focus on career based classes and want the immediate pay off. The most challenging students for me are the ones who never quite seem to see the merit in the class, despite my activities that are meant to engage, despite our discussions of how they can actually apply this knowledge to their career. They come into class hating they have to be here and work very hard at holding the grudge. The most effective strategy I have found is to make sure the rest of the class is engaged and letting peer pressure take its course. The grudge holders usually find it increasingly difficult to hold onto their frustrations and anger when the rest of the class is having fun!
Hi Jocelyn,
Students who are not computer savy really need to take classes in a traditional setting. There is enough frustration just from being in college, not to mention being somewhat weak with computers.
Patricia
Hi Robert,
Wow, eletronic devices. Some students will find a way to be dishonest. I am happy to know you do have a set policy in place. I would push to make the policy even stricter.
Patricia
The most challenging for me are the students who are captives of modern communication technology. These are the ones who simply cannot last for 5 minutes without having to text someone, or receive a text. Even though these devices are not allowed to be on during class or shop time, many students will find creative and/or sneaky ways to ensure that they are not "out of touch" with the rest of their circle of friends.
Any limited success I've had in working through this ongoing issue has only been had by being up front about the class policies. Students may, at times, and when really necessary, exit the classroom to place an important call. Otherwise, they will have their devices removed until the end of the session. Fortunately, most of the classes I instruct are at a State Certification level, which requires all electronic devices to be off and in the instuctor's possesion during any tests. I'm in complete agreement with this, and would advocate the same policy during any test for other classes.
Students have otherwise learned to use their electronic devices while in their own pockets to send test answers to other students.
One of my most challenging student to date was actually a student who was older than myself by quite a few years. It took almost all of my patience to deal with him in class. He seemed to think that since he was older than his instructor that the rules shouldnt have to apply to him, after all he was not some kid out of high school. I had to come up with a rather different way of dealing with him than normal problem students. I decided to make him shop foreman in the lab, I gave him responsibility to make sure all the tools were checked out properly and returned, I also had him oversee the cleaning of the lab at the end of the day. He responded very well to feeling in a position of even "mock" authority, and having him become the standard to what the other students should be doing. It proceeded very well since he had to become the role model for behavior for the other students in order to hold this position among them and brought him back on track to following the rules.
Hello Kathleen,
How do you penalize your online students for late assignments?
Patricia
Hi Alyce,
Rubrics are great to use as well with challenging students. As a rule, anything that can be in writing, put it in writing for those challenging students.
Patricia
Hi Linda,
Individualized time can at times make a difference with students who have no clue as to why they are even in college.
Patricia
Hi Frances,
As educators, we have to remember we are some of our students ONLY cheerleaders. We have to pump them up.
Patricia
Hello Nancy,
What a great psychological approach to take to this. Students want to appear intelligent in front of their peers.
Patricia
Hi Karen,
Your students want you to be helpful, and they need our encouragement.
Patricia
Hi
There are different types of challenges with online students.
1 - Students who do not have the necessary skills to function in an online environment. These students I refer to tutoring services and work to help them get comfortable with the technology.
2 - Students who have too much going on in their lives. I try to remind them as to why they are going to school and how education is useful.
3 - Students who want more from the process. I try to get them going with additional challenging questions on the discussion boards.
Jocelyn M. Dervis
Hi Charlin,
Yes, this is typical of the younger generation. What other challenges have you had with the younger students?
Patricia
Hi Wendy,
By trying hard to not tell a student they are wrong, you are building their confidence level. Keep up the good work.
Patricia
Hi Frances,
You have made a good point! However, there are some that simply do not have an excuse/reason.
Patricia
Hi Richard,
It appears when the instructor is more mobile students tend to be more focused. We have to do all we can to keep students focused. I even teach from the back of the room at times.
Patricia
Hi Jerry,
I DO NOT allow students to sleep in my classes. I make it known on Day 1. I dismiss my sleepers with an absence. It is totally disrespectful. Do not allow your students to do this to you.
Patricia
The most challenging students I have are those that have been able to willy nilly post their work at whatever time they so desire in the online environment. They are very suddenly shocked that they have not carefully reviewed the instructor expectations and late policy in my courses. I am just this side of the intro courses. I am very careful about the feedback that I do provide as well as the in place resources to assist the learner (calendar, etc.) in posting on time. Kathleen
Hi Frances,
I've encountered some of these students as well, and it is very challenging. I have students to bring in their electronic dictionaries and thesauruses to try to keep up. I've even had some students to record the lecture.
Patricia
Hi William,
Humbling these type students is the best thing for them. They quickly realize that they do not know as much as they think they do.
Patricia
